December 2011

Wall Street got off to a fairly quiet start for the week as investors were reluctant to jump aboard the much anticipated Santa Claus rally. U.S. consumer confidence data surpassed expectations as the figure came in at 64.5, versus the previous month’s reading of 55.2. Despite improving prospects for the U.S. economic recovery, domestic equity indexes drifted sideways at the start of the final trading week for the year. Gold futures inched lower towards $1,595 an ounce, while crude oil prices soared to $101 a barrel, bolstered by geopolitical tensions in Iran.

Equity markets started off the final trading week of the year on a mixed note, with many taking profits and locking in gains, while some cheered on the positive economic data at home. The holiday weekend wasn’t enough to inspire a full-scale Santa Claus rally like many had hoped ; the Nasdaq led with way higher, clinching a 0.25% gain, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average Lagged Behind, turning in a loss of 0.02% on the day. Gold futures inched lower as stock markets drifted sideways, with prices for the precious yellow metal settling near $1,595 an ounce as the trading session drew to a close [see ETF Insider: Slick Picks For Year End Bulls].

Equity markets inched higher last week as news from the Euro zone was sparse, while economic data releases on the home front surprised to the upside. The final trading week of one of the most volatile periods in financial history is sure to abundant with more of the same: excitement, drama, and perhaps even the […]

With 2011 nearly in the books, the ETF industry has set yet another record for product development and innovation. More than 300 exchange-traded products debuted this year, beginning in early January with the launch of the first VIX ETFs from ProShares and continuing through late December when RBS added another Trendpilot ETN to its lineup. […]

This time last year, investors were generally thrilled with the performances of their portfolios, which had continued to bounce back nicely from the devastating recession that hit in 2008. Unfortunately, few are feeling the same sense of accomplishment as 2011 draws to a close; this year has been frustrating in that a few large, swift […]

The curtain is about to drop on 2011, a year that will go down as a record-breaking period for the rapidly-expanding ETF industry. More than 300 exchange-traded products began trading this year, with dozens of issuers rolling out new products. While some of the new additions bear a striking resemblance to more established products on […]

2011 has rattled investors’ confidence as sluggish economic growth in the developed world was complemented with resurfacing European debt woes and deficit drama on the home front. With clouds of uncertainty gathering on all fronts, investors have been scrambling for safe haven exposure, although volatile trading has plagued virtually every corner of the market. Unfavorable […]

This past year was the most active ever for the exchange traded industry in terms of product development; the launch of more than 300 new products shattered the record set in 2010. And innovation continues to run high in the industry; the creativity of issuers is still impressive, as many of the ETFs that have […]

Growth and evolution have been recurring themes in the exchange-traded universe in 2011, as investors are now faced with a diverse product lineup of over 1,400 ETPs. More than 300 of those are new additions in 2011, a year that broke the previous record for extent of product development. And while many of the new […]

Investors had plenty to celebrate this holiday weekend, as the S&P 500 pushed back into positive territory for 2011 after the index’s three-day winning streak. Despite the announcement of several dreary and unimpressive U.S. economic reports, stock markets continued to gain steam throughout the week, finishing off strong at the end of Friday’s trading session. Investors also […]

Equity markets have taken a wild ride this past year as everything from an unimaginable earthquake in Japan to a looming debt crisis in Europe has taken its toll on investors’ confidence. As 2011 draws to a close, many are left scratching their heads in confusion and uncertainty, given the predominantly gloomy economic outlook that […]

An industry veteran and a newcomer have ramped up activity on the product development front during an otherwise quiet week before the holiday weekend. ProShares filed with the SEC for a lineup of new equity ETFs that are calibrated to deliver a specific level of volatility depending on market conditions,while New York-based Yorkville ETF Advisors […]